Should Canada's asbestos industry shut down for good?

For the first time in 130 years, there's no production at any of Canada's asbestos mines. Last month, production stopped at the Lac d'amiante du Canada operation in Thetford Mines, Que. This follows the shutdown of the Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos, Que., earlier this year.

Mines in Thetford Mines and Asbestos, Que., have shut down production. Should they start up in the spring? (CBC)While the Thetford Mines site is facing operational difficulties in accessing asbestos in the ground, the Jeffrey Mine's troubles are financial. Its owners need to raise $25 million from the private sector to guarantee a loan from the Quebec government.

Jeffrey Mine president Bernard Coulombe insists neither his mine nor the one in Thetford Mines is closed. Both are selling small amounts of asbestos from their inventories.

Proponents of the industry insist it's way too early to write the obituary on Canadian asbestos; they're hoping to start digging again as early as the spring.

Asbestos was once considered "Canada's gold," but the industry began its steady decline in the 1970s, as science started linking asbestos exposure to serious health problems.

Should Canada's asbestos mines be shut down for good? Should governments give the industry loans so their operations can continue? Let us know what you think.

Related:

• Should one of Canada's last asbestos mines be reopened?
• Should Canada block move to call asbestos hazardous?

(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)